MUMBAI: Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra says when she chose to explore acting opportunities in the West, her only worry was whether she would be able to make a name for herself in Hollywood.
Priyanka, 34, earned global fame after starring in hit American TV show “Quantico”. She has since made appearances on popular talk shows, graced top magazine covers, walked red carpets at award shows across America and was also present at the White House Correspondents’ dinner hosted by outgoing US President Barack Obama.
“My worry (in the US), as an Indian actress, was whether the global entertainment industry was ready to see an Indian actor in the lead, as we haven’t seen one before – be it in television or films. I was worried about it as it had not happened with any Indian actress,” Priyanka told PTI in an interview.
“My worry was ‘Will I be good enough?’ But I had such a wonderful reception. I have got so much love and affection. The only thing to do now is keep evolving. I only think about how I can grow more and what more can I do.”
Priyanka entered the Hindi film industry after winning the Miss World title in 2000. She made a mark in Bollywood with films like “Aitraaz”, “Fashion”, “Barfi”, “Mary Kom” and “Bajirao Mastani” among others and then turned to Hollywood to explore acting opportunities there.
She made her acting debut in Hollywood with American television show “Quantico” and is also part of the “Baywatch” film which will release next year.
“When I was going to another country (US), I was not worried about acting as I know my job well. I know the technical aspects, I have tremendous experience of working with incredible filmmakers who have taught me my job,” she says.
“I can stand on the world stage and be confident about my work as my training was with the most prolific film industry in the world which is the Hindi film industry.”
To present Golden Globe Awards
2016 ensured that Priyanka Chopra is on top of the world! Rocking the West with her TV show Quantico, she made her debut as presenter at international award shows with this year’s People’s Choice Awards. She then sashayed down her way to the Oscars in March this year, when she made headlines for her red carpet debut in a stunning Zuhair Murad ensemble. Next up for Priyanka was the Emmy Awards, when she shared the stage with Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hiddleston, who twirled and twirled Priyanka and the cameras could not stop clicking.
Now, Priyanka is all set to present at the Golden Globe Awards 2017. The Awards will be hosted by TV personality Jimmy Fallon at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on January 8 which will air in India the following day.
Priyanka will present alongside Hollywood bigwigs like Nicole Kidman, Chris Pine, Eddie Redmayne, Drew Barrymore, Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Justin Theroux, Sophia Vergara, Mandy Moore and Zoes Aaldana and Brie Larson. This will be Priyanka Chopra’s debut appearance at the Golden Globe Awards.
Priyanka has taken a break from her Quantico schedule and is back home for the holidays. At the moment, Priyanka can be spotted in the party destination Goa where she is letting her hair down with family and friends on New Year’s eve.
Priyanka has a very packed schedule after her winter holidays – she will get busy with the remaining portions of Quantico season 2. She will also be prepping for People’s Choice Award, for which she has been nominated for the second time in a row, courtesy her performance as FBI-turned-CIA agent Alex Parrish on Quantico. Priyanka will also be gearing for the release of her Hollywood debut –
the Baywatch movie. Baywatch features Priyanka Chopra as the main villain Victoria Leeds and also stars Dwayne Johnson. It releases on May 26.
While in India, Priyanka will zero in on two Bollywood films for next year, reported news agency PTI. Priyanka was at the Stardust Awards in Mumbai when she said: “I will be doing two Bollywood films next year. I have come to India to decide on those films. By the end of January, I will finalize which those films will be.”
Priyanka Chopra received her Padma Shri some months ago and has also ranked on the Forbes’ list of the world’s highest paid TV actresses this year. She has scored a place ahead of actors like Jennifer Aniston and Leonardo DiCaprio on an iMDB list of the most popular celebrities of 2016.
Priyanka’s last Bollywood project was Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal.-PTI